Jonathan Maccoll: Last News

Labour have taken control of West Dunbartonshire Council, winning an outright majority for the first time since 2012.

A bitter spat has erupted between SNP and Labour members before this week’s election, with both parties accusing each other of attempting to deceive voters.

Those elected as councillors on May 5 will make decisions on behalf of residents about vital local services including roads, parks, schools and planning.

Controversial £20,000 planters in Alexandria are set to be removed, after being branded “a waste of money” by the council leader.

Residents will get the chance to shape new Covid-19 memorial gardens in Dumbarton and Alexandria.

An “unfathomable” decision to slash £2million of funding for West Dunbartonshire’s most deprived children has been slammed as new stark figures revealed the attainment gap is widening.

Axing lollipop patrollers, cutting back street cleaning and switching to three-weekly bin collections are all options being considered to save cash as West Dunbartonshire Council faces a £5million funding black hole.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s chief executive will write to Scotrail and the Scottish Government’s transport minister to oppose proposals to cut hours at local railway ticket offices.

Residents are being “held to ransom” over exorbitant costs for installing fire alarms to meet new rules, it’s been claimed.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s chief executive is stepping down this summer after being at the helm for more than a decade.

Calls are being made to delay new regulations requiring every home to have interlinked fire alarms – amid concerns many residents are unaware of the rules.

The leader of the council has criticised a union for telling members they would receive their backpay before Christmas.

Blue Lagoon have said they are “disappointed” that the chain’s popular outdoor dining area in Balloch will not be remaining in place. Councillor Jonathan McColl branded the two-week trial “an accident waiting to happen” as he urged West Dunbartonshire Council not to renew the chippy’s lease for the outside seating area beyond the trial period on the site.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Nursing staff have been left outraged over comments made by council leader Jonathan McColl branding fears over the future of two dementia wards “a nothing story”.Dedicated workers at the Fruin and Katrine wards say they are still concerned about the long-term future of the units despite assurances from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon they will be protected.The determined staff say they will continue to stand up for services and have urged the local community to stand with them.The wards, which provide care to patients with dementia, were threatened with temporary closure at the start of the month due to staff shortages .

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Two wards at the Vale Hospital are under threat of closure.Health chiefs have confirmed they are struggling to staff the Fruin and Katrine wards, which care for elderly people with dementia.Concerns have been raised that the wards may have to close temporarily, though West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership yesterday (Monday) said a decision has not yet been made.Bosses say the units have faced “a number of issues” with staffing hit by the pandemic and a shortage of medics.MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said the staff shortages may lead to “the short term closure” of some wards.West Dunbartonshire Council leader Jonathan McColl meanwhile said

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Outdoor recreational equipment which caters to the needs of all children will be introduced in West Dunbartonshire play parks.It comes after a mum whose 11-month old son has additional support needs, hit out at the local authority for a lack of equipment available for children with learning disabilities.Claire McCann, who launched a petition for better accessibility to these play parks, was thanked by local councillors at their most recent meeting for raising the issue.A motion presented by SNP council leader Jonathan McColl asked members to do more to develop and include accessible and appropriate equipment for children across the council

Bury. The 18-year-old was involved in a collision with an oncoming Audi A5 in Hardman's Road, in Whitefield, late on Tuesday evening.

Works aimed at making Balloch more pedestrian friendly have been labelled “a fatality waiting to happen” by a concerned local business owner.

West Dunbartonshire Council is putting all upcoming meetings on hold in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Temporarily closing the out-of-hours service at evenings and weekends is “sensible” given that so many GPs are unwilling to work, says the leader of West Dunbartonshire Council.